THERE are concerns that strict mitigations in place to allow the remaining hospitality sector reopen could have an impact on some businesses.
For the first time since last Christmas Eve, pubs and restaurants in Derry and across the North of Ireland will today finally be able to welcome customers indoors as another raft of restrictions are eased.
It is the third time the Derry City and Strabane Council area has come out of a lockdown.
The council are went into a second lockdown last October after a huge surge in COVID-19 cases.
Some mitigations are in place for health and safety reasons, similar to those imposed when indoor hospitality was allowed to open on several occasions last year.
Only table service is permitted, with six people from six households allowed at a table.
Up to 10 people from the same household are allowed at a table, and children under 12 are not included in these rules.
Contact details of all customers must be taken for contact tracing and face coverings must be worn whenever someone is not sitting, such as when going to the toilet.
Music must also be kept at ambient levels and customers must stay at their tables, in other words — no dancing, gaming machines or pool.
Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster says that the strict mitigations could have an impact on trade, leaving some unable to operate.
Said Mr Neill: “There will still be businesses which are not viable within these restrictions.
“So whilst today is a huge landmark day for us, it is the beginning of the journey to freedom when all restrictions are removed.”
It could be the end of June or the start of July before the mitigations are lifted.
This will depend ultimately on the spread of the virus and the continued roll out of the Coronavirus vaccination programme.
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